Device and method for cell-exclusion patterning

Abstract

This disclosure relates to devices and methods for cell-exclusion patterning. Specifically, this disclosure provides a device and method to exclude cells in selected areas during cell seeding and create cell-free arrays that can be used for cell migration and related studies and assays.

1 . A kit for cell-exclusion patterning comprising;
 a multi-well plate comprising   a plurality of wells;   a first side panel and a second side panel   wherein the first side panel comprises a plurality of guide holes.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the second side panel of the multi-well plate comprises
 a plurality of guide holes. 
 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the multi-well plate comprises a 96 well plate or a 386 well plate. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 2  wherein the multi-well plate comprises a 96 well plate or a 386 well plate. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a comb, wherein the comb comprises:
 a comb bar;   at least one guide pin extending from the comb bar;   a plurality of blocking pins extending from the comb bar, each having a bottom surface;   wherein the at least one guide pin is structured and arranged to engage with a first side panel of a multi-well plate and   wherein the plurality of blocking pins are structured and arranged to extend into a plurality of wells of the multi-well plate.   
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the comb comprises two guide pins, a first guide pin structured and arranged to engage with a first side panel of a multi-well plate, and a second guide pin structured and arranged to engage with a second side panel of a multi-well plate. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the blocking pins are cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the bottom surface of the blocking pins is flat. 
     
     
         9 . A kit for making a multi-well cell culture plate for cell-exclusion patterning comprising:
 (1) a comb, wherein the comb comprises:   a comb bar;   at least one guide pin extending from the comb bar;   a plurality of blocking pins extending from the comb bar, each having a bottom surface; and,   (2) A multi-well plate, wherein the multi-well plate comprises:   a plurality of wells, each well having side walls and a well bottom;   a first side panel and a second side panel;   wherein the first side panel comprises a plurality of guide holes;   wherein the at least one guide pin is structured and arranged to engage with one of the plurality of guide holes of the first side panel of the multi-well plate and wherein when the at least one guide pin is engaged with one of the plurality of guide holes of the first side panel of the multi-well plate, the plurality of blocking pins are inserted into the plurality of wells.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein the second side panel comprises a plurality of guide holes. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10  wherein the comb comprises two guide pins, structured and arranged to engage with a guide hole of the first side panel of the multi-well plate and a guide hole of the second side panel of the multi-well plate. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein the blocking pins are cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein the bottom surface of the blocking pins is flat. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using the kit of  claim 9  for making a multi-well cell culture plate for cell-exclusion patterning comprising;
 (a) engaging the comb with the multi-well plate so that the at least one guide pin is engaged with one of the plurality of guide holes of the first side panel of the multi-well plate and the plurality of blocking pins are inserted into the plurality of wells; 
 (b) adding cell culture media to the wells of the multi-well plate; 
 (c) adding cells to the wells of the multi-well plate; 
 (d) allowing cells to settle to the bottom of the wells of the multi-well plate; 
 (e) removing the comb from the multi-well plate.